Soon-to-be Newsnight policy editor Lewis Goodall isn't happy about Zak Goldsmith being given a lift into the Lords in order to remain a government environment minister:
- "Only in Britain could you be denied your place in the legislature for a fixed term by the electorate only to be put back in it only days later by the government for life."
- "Three cheers (two? One?) for democracy."
- "This appointment is darkly ironic given Zac Goldsmith was the man who campaigned endlessly for recall for MPs. He’s now just been given a place in the legislature for the rest of his life, where he will be accountable to no-one and where he cannot be removed."
He may be right, he may be wrong, but the one thing Lewis isn't is shy about expressing his views on matters of political controversy. As a result, it will be very interesting to see how he behaves at Newsnight, and how he's allowed to behave by the BBC.
Goldsmith lost because of a pact between the Greens and the LubDems. The Greens stood back in his patch and that's why we now have a joined-up blob of LibDem yellow in three constituencies stretching from Twickenham to Richmond Park & North Kingston to Kingston & Surbiton. Not all of us are ecstatic that Ed Davey and the LibDems have embedded themselves further in this neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering whether Lewis isn't actually a full on politician in the guise of a reporter...I wonder whether he seems himself as a potential leader of a future Blairite centrist party?
ReplyDeleteHas he ever heard of the EU? Has he ever heard of Catherine Ashton? Elected by no-one but enobled by Tony Blair.
ReplyDeleteYes - rather pertinent point in context! Wasn't that Catherine Ashton who couldn't even speak French or German? Great choice!! lol
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